BJ Davis says he started playing basketball at a year old. His dad, Bryant Davis Sr., swears it was even earlier than that.
“I have pictures of me when I was a baby,” said the younger Davis. "I always had a ball in my hand, so I fell in love with the game really early.”
All those years of love for basketball are starting to pay off. Davis, a three-star recruit, had a total of 26 offers to sort through before he could make his final decision. After ruling out Mississippi, Washington State, and more over the weekend, Davis decided Friday between St. Mary’s, Drake University, and San Diego State.
In front of family, friends, teammates, and coaches at Modesto Christian, Davis verbally committed to playing basketball for the San Diego State University Aztecs.
Brice Fantazia, Modesto Christian’s head basketball coach, describes Davis as “one of the best shooters/defenders in the country” and thinks the Aztecs are the perfect fit for Davis.
“San Diego State is known for playing defense, being gritty, having chips on their shoulder, and I think that’s BJ,” he said.
Fantazia has coached Davis since he was in the fifth grade as a part of the Chuck Hayes program.
“I've seen him grow up and mature, both physically and mentally,” said Fantazia. “I couldn’t be prouder of him.”
Fantazia describes Davis as a quiet leader on the court who inspires his teammates through his hard work on the court.
“He’s been well raised, he’s humble, and he’s very talented on the basketball court,” he continued.
Davis Sr. says his son was “really rambunctious, but fully aware of what was happening” when talking about his early love for basketball.
“He still has a lot of work to do … He's developing into a great young man,” he said full of pride.
For Davis, Friday's ceremony in the foyer of the school gym was a bit surreal.
“It’s always been a dream of mine,” he said of his verbal commitment. “From being a young kid in the backyard, just imagining I’m in a big-time moment. It’s really always been a dream of mine.”
He’s now just a few steps from fully realizing his dream.
While his immediate focus is on college and basketball, when asked what his goals are going forward, Davis said, “I just to be the best person I can. If I do that, then I will fulfill my destiny.”
Samantha Schmidt is a freelance reporter and photographer, whose work has been featured on FrontRowPreps.com for two years.
